Protecting endangered plant and animal species

The processes leading to the natural loss of species: 1. natural death, 2. population pressure, 3. destruction of wildlife habitats (e.g. tropical forests, coral reefs, wetlands), 4. hunting for foods, sports or medicines, 5. pollution.

Endangerment of Species more than 1,000 animal species are endangered worldwide today. Extinct: a species is extinct when there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. Critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable: species which face high risk of extinction in wild in the near future, with decreasing risk level from critically endangered to vulnerable.

Factors affecting Risk Level of Endangerment Population size of the species, Size of habitats, Number of mature individuals,

Examples of Endangered Species

The current rate of species loss 1. African elephant, 2. Tiger, 3. Chinese white dolphin, 4. Giant panda. 5. Coral reef, 6. Tropical Rain Forest.

Causes of Endangerment Destruction of habitats Pollution Deforestation Urbanization Disease and limited distribution Introduction of exotic species Over-exploitation and illegal hunting

Over-exploitation In order to get timber for paper, furniture and building materials, a lot of trees are cut down. This destroys the woodland habitat.

Hunting

Why do we need to save endangered species? [1] Humans depend on ecosystems. The nature provides us water and air.

Why do we need to save endangered species? [2] Ecosystem will become unstable Loss of valuable natural resources Loss of employment Species have rights to survive

The consequences of losing species: 1. the danger to ecological stability, 2. the importance of genetic diversity in allowing different species to meet different challenges and to fulfill different functions within the biosphere,

3. the danger that the extinction of one species can lead to the decline in other species, 4. the loss of material from which to create potentially useful hybrid strains of plants and animals, or to create new foods, medicines, and fibres.

What should be done? Pollution control Reduce the use / recycle natural resources Ban or restrict activities that cause harm to the nature, e.g. hunting Act of Endangered Species

The nature/scale of remedial measures needed to reverse current trends: 1. International efforts through the activities of groups such as World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace.

2. International agreements arrived at partly as a consequence of their lobbying e.g. Convention on International Trading of Endangered Species (C. I. T. E. S.) and the agreements that restrict whaling.

3. Hong Kong's role: i. as a signatory to the treaty banning the international trade in ivory, ii. promoting the conservation of bird life through the preservation of the Mai Po marshes, iii. controls to prevent the import of endangered species, iv. additional steps Hong Kong could take in this areas.

4. China'a role: a developing interest in areas such as panda research, Pere David Deer and the Guangdong bird sanctuary.

5. Individual's role: ii. working for public acceptance of the need to spend public money on worthwhile projects and supporting such projects in practical ways, i. appreciating the importance of well-informed people mobilizing public opinion to change attitudes,

iii. countering the influence of those who have a vested interest in courses of action which have a detrimental effect on the environment,

iv. being discriminating in what one buys so that wherever possible one avoids products whose manufacture or sale contribute to the destruction of the natural environment, v. exploring what these roles mean in practice in the H. K. context, vi. dangers implicit in precipitate, uninformed public pressure (e.g. in 1989 WWF report).

Discussion If dinosaurs were still alive in the world, should we conserve them? For endangered species that threaten our life, should we conserve them? How to judge, decide and make a balance? “ Human is selfish for exploiting the life of so many species ”, do you agree?

Discussion Keeping animals in zoo is one way to protect and keep valuable species. What are its advantages and disadvantages? Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses body parts of animals to cure illnesses. How do you feel? What could be done? If the protection of endangered species will cause unemployment and hardship of the people in the developing country, what should be done?

Relevant Websites [1] Endangered Species Program, U.S. Fish & wildlife Service ( Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora – CITES ( Endangered Species on EE-Link Endangered Species ( A SeaWorld Education Department Resource ( Endangered Species ( html) html

Relevant Websites [2] Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department ( Conservation ( htm) htm Example of endangered species that could be used in Traditional Chinese Medicines ( ion/conserv/annex3.htm) ion/conserv/annex3.htm Examples of plant species included in the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance ( ion/conserv/annex4.htm) ion/conserv/annex4.htm